Spider-Noir (2026) review
For decades, fans have wondered what Nicolas Cage would have looked like as Superman. As it turns out, the answer was apparently: a depressed Spider-Man detective in black and white.
Plot: Ben Reilly, a seasoned but down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York, is forced to confront his past following a deeply personal tragedy, all while serving as the city's one and only superhero.
72 awards. Over 140 film credits. Thousands of memes. Countless "Rage Cage" moments. One of Hollywood's greatest "what if?" stories after being cast as the Man of Steel in Tim Burton's cancelled Superman Lives. All of it has led the one and only Nicolas Cage to this moment: Spider-Noir.
Most audiences know Spider-Man through the endlessly popular portrayals of Peter Parker (and, more recently, Miles Morales). However, it was 2018's animated masterpiece Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse that introduced mainstream viewers to an entire multiverse of bizarre, niche, and wildly creative interpretations of the web-slinger. Arguably the most memorable of them all was Spider-Noir, the black-and-white detective from the 1930s, voiced with scene-stealing brilliance by Nicolas Cage.
So when Amazon MGM Studios announced a live-action Spider-Noir series with Cage returning to the role, the reaction was understandably mixed. How would this work? Why this character? Could a niche animated fan-favourite really sustain an entire television series?
I'm delighted to report that the answer is a resounding yes.
Spider-Noir is an absolute blast. It's a loving tribute to classic noir cinema, packed with hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales, gangsters, and smoky backroom conspiracies. Better yet, it introduces a new generation of viewers to the visual and storytelling brilliance of classic American noir. The series is even available in two versions: a vibrant colour presentation and an authentic black-and-white cut.
For the first two episodes, I sampled both versions—one in colour and one in black and white—to appreciate each approach. After that, I committed fully to black and white in the name of NOIR! Honestly, it's the way this show was meant to be watched. The monochrome presentation perfectly complements the atmosphere and makes the entire experience feel like a lost detective serial from Hollywood's golden age.
Nicolas Cage is genuinely fantastic. Channelling shades of Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney, he delivers a wonderfully rough-around-the-edges detective who fires off effortlessly cool one-liners while still sprinkling in just enough trademark Cage eccentricity to make Ben Reilly uniquely his own. What could have easily remained a novelty spin-off instead becomes a surprisingly compelling character study, thanks largely to Cage's committed performance.
The supporting cast is excellent across the board. Lamorne Morris and Karen Rodriguez bring plenty of charm and chemistry as Ben's trusted allies, providing some genuinely fun workplace banter amidst the darkness. Jack Huston, Abraham Popoola, and especially Joe Massingill offer fresh takes on familiar Spider-Man villains, giving them distinctive new identities within this noir setting. Li Jun Li is superb as the classic femme fatale, effortlessly commanding every scene she enters.
However, the standout alongside Cage is Brendan Gleeson as crime boss Silvermane. Gleeson has spent decades playing memorable Irish characters, but I genuinely don't think he's ever been more Irish than he is here. His Silvermane is intimidating, calculating, and ruthless, yet unexpectedly hilarious when trading barbs with Cage. Their chemistry is electric, and every scene they share quickly becomes must-watch television. Watching these two veteran actors bounce off one another is arguably the show's greatest strength.
Spider-Noir is nothing short of superb and easily ranks among the best comic-book television projects of recent years. Within the wider landscape of Sony's live-action Spider-Man-related projects, it's particularly significant because it finally puts an actual spider-powered hero front and centre while delivering the dark humour, style, and emotional weight fans have been craving. It's stylish, cool, genre-bending, and above all else, ridiculously entertaining.
Also, is it just me, or is Amazon MGM absolutely crushing it in 2026? Project Hail Mary, The Sheep Detectives, Masters of the Universe, and now Spider-Noir. Look, I don't particularly enjoy the idea of putting even more money into Jeff Bezos' pockets, but when it comes to entertainment, we're eating very well this year.
